A 25-year-old man, Arinzechukwu Igbudu, on Monday appeared before an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court 1 in Ebonyi state for alleged stealing of food items.
The defendant, who is standing trial before the Magistrate, Mrs Lillian Ogodo, was also accused of possession of illicit drugs including: India-hemp and methamphetamine ice, popularly known as Mkpurummiri.
He is facing a four count charge of house breaking, stealing, possession of illicit drugs.
Igbudu, who has no lawyer however, pleaded guilty of the charges.
Magistrate Ogodo ordered that the defendant should pay a fine of N20, 000 and restitution of N150, 000 to the complaint, Nnenna Chidimma, female.
“If the defendant failure to pay the said monies will face two years imprisonment,” the Magistrate added.
Earlier, ASP Eze Ndubuaku, the Prosecutor Counsel informed the court that Igbudu committed the offence on March 15 at Odenigbo, Okpuitumu village in Abakaliki local government area of the state.
Ndubuaku explained that the defendant did broke out and entered a shop belonging to Nnenna Chidimma, “f” with intent to commit felony.
“He, thereby committed an offence punishable under section 413 (a) of the criminal code, cap 33 vol. 1 laws of Ebonyi state 2009.
“Igbudu stole foodstuffs: one and half bushel of rice, one big tin of tomato paste, three cans of beta malt and one tin of peak milk and other properties valued N123, 100. 000 properties of Chidimma.
“On same date and address, the defendant did have in possession of weeds suspected to be India-hemp and methamphetamine ice which he could not give satisfactory account of how he got them.
“Igbudu thereby committed an offence punishable under section 43 of the criminal code of Ebonyi,” the Prosecutor explained